Summer and all its delights are just around the corner, but drivers have been warned about some mistakes that can pop up in warmer weather.
A long warm spell is rounding out the end of spring and the news will be welcome to sun-starved Brits. But as people eagerly don sunglasses and sun dresses, driving experts have warned motorists of the summer habits to avoid.
Some of the no-nos by National Scrap Car may surprise - like improper footwear and changing your playlist - but some are common knowledge but their consequences bear repeating.
To avoid being burnt by any nasty fines or points on your licence, Dorry Potter, car expert at National Scrap Car, has listed out the warm weather habits drivers should avoid at all costs.
Wearing impractical footwear at the wheel
Potential fine: £5,000 + penalty points
Whilst flip flops are notorious for making an appearance in the summer months, we can all agree that they limit foot movement to no more than a shuffle and for that reason, do not make the most appropriate footwear for driving in.
In fact, Rule 97 of the highway code clearly states that clothing and footwear should not prevent you from being able to use the controls.
This means that if you are caught by the police or involved in an accident, you can be charged for "driving without due care and attention" - which carries a £100 on-the-spot fine and three penalty points on your licence.
If it goes to court that can increase to a maximum penalty of £5,000, nine points and potentially a driving ban.
This goes way beyond just a fashion disaster, so to avoid any of this, we recommend that drivers check their footwear before hitting the road or keep a spare pair of shoes in their car.
Drinking and driving
Potential fine: Up to £2,500 fine + possible driving ban
Day drinking and pub gardens scream summertime - the simple question of "Pub?" is an irresistible offer when the sun is shining.
But drinking and driving shouldn't be mixed and it's important to know when to switch to soft drinks if you plan on driving home - or to refrain from drinking at all.
Most people are aware that it’s illegal to drink any alcoholic beverage behind the wheel. Despite this, approximately 85,000 people are convicted of drink driving related offences every year in England and Wales alone.
The law if you drink and drive
Being in charge of a vehicle while above the legal limit is a serious offence in Scotland:
- You'll get a minimum 12-month driving ban
- You could go to prison for up to 6 months or get a fine of up to £5000 - or both
- The offence stays on your licence for 11 years
- You might lose your vehicle
It doesn't end there either. A conviction for drink-driving also means that your car insurance will increase significantly and if you rely on your car to travel to work, your employer will be able to see a conviction on your licence.
It's impossible to state a universal figure when it comes to alcohol limits because the rate at which the body absorbs alcohol varies from person to person, based on sex, weight and stress levels.
The current drink-drive alcohol limits in Scotland are as follows:
- 22 microgrammes (mcg) of alcohol in 100 ml of breath
- 50 milligrammes (mg) of alcohol in 100ml of blood
- 67 milligrammes (mg) in 100 ml of urine
There really is no foolproof way of drinking and staying under the limit, which is why it's safest not to drink at all if you're driving.
Changing the music on a playlist
Potential fine: £200 + penalty points
The songs you play in the car can make or break a road trip, but it's best not to lean over and change it yourself.
This could land drivers in a lot of trouble as a crackdown last year made it easier to prosecute drivers who are caught using their phone whilst driving.
Since March 2022, it's illegal to use your mobile phone behind the wheel - including to scroll through songs - and if caught, drivers could face a £200 fine as well as six points on their licence.
It's time to pass over music duties to your passengers.
Leaving dogs in hot cars
Potential fine: Unlimited fine + potential jail sentence
Last summer saw a new record high when Kelso hit 35C in July and any scorching weather this summer should ring alarm bells for pet owners.
Sadly, there are multiple cases of dogs being abandoned in hot cars every summer and this can have serious impacts on their health, leading to heatstroke and even death in the worst cases.
The SSPCA and RSPCA has urged people to not leave dogs alone in the car on a hot day.
Whilst it's not illegal to do so, there are still serious consequences. Drivers could be faced with an animal cruelty charge under the Animal Welfare Act, which can carry an unlimited fine and a six-month jail sentence in some cases.
Whilst on-lookers will never want to stand by and let a dog suffer, criminal damage charges can still be inflicted for any attempts to break into a car - even if it is to free an animal. For immediate assistance, the best advice is to call 112 or 999.
Taking hay fever medication
Potential fine: Unlimited fine + one-year driving ban
This time of year can bring along its own problems too as one in four people in the UK suffer from hay fever.
Many hay fever sufferers will use medication such as antihistamines to prevent the relentless sneezing and streaming eyes. And as innocent as that may seem, it's important to know that this could make you drowsy and impact your ability to drive.
Driving under the influence of any drug, including any prescription or over-the-counter medications, is illegal if it impairs your abilities. A conviction for drug-driving carries a minimum of a one-year driving ban and an unlimited fine, whilst the worst offences can carry a six-month jail sentence.
Overloading the vehicle
Potential fine: £300 + penalty points
Ever since Covid-19 stormed into our lives, packing up the car for a road trip or quick summer getaway has never been so exciting.
However, the holiday could soon be ruined if you're caught overloading your car. It soon adds up when you cram in luggage, food, toys and all sorts of odds and ends.
Drivers can put themselves and others at risk by cramming too much into their car and it's a punishable offence to block your rear vision or weigh above the car's limit.
Take a look in your vehicle handbook to find out the maximum weight your car can hold, otherwise motorists are at risk of facing a £300 fine and having three points added onto their licence.
Dorry Potter, Car Expert from National Scrap Car, comments: "This warm weather has put a smile on everyone’s face and people will want to make the most of it by jumping in the car and planning fun trips away. But as temperatures start to rise, it’s important to be aware of the latest rules and laws that could find drivers in a lot of trouble.”
"Being safe on the road is key to having a fun time this summer and the police will be clamping down on motorists to avoid as many accidents as possible when the roads are busy."
"The regulations are always changing for drivers so it’s important to keep up to date, and with petrol costs continuing to rise in the UK along with the cost of living increases, the last thing anyone needs right now is to be lumped with a huge fine - if it can be avoided."
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - sign up to our daily newsletter here.
